"It is simply too big to ignore" - SEE What Mikel Arteta did after two Aaron Ramsdale errors that nearly cost Arsenal 3 points at Brentford, should he be benched for David Raya in the next game?
What Mikel Arteta did after two Aaron Ramsdale errors that nearly cost Arsenal 3 points at Brentford, should he be benched for David Raya in the next game?
Another week, another goalkeeping conversation
No one wants to talk about the Arsenal goalkeeping conversation again – least of all Mikel Arteta. Ever since David Raya’s arrival in the summer there has seemingly been a weekly debate over whether bringing in the Spaniard was the right thing.
Many have argued that you can’t have two number one goalkeepers. Arteta has vehemently disagreed on several occasions and sources around Arsenal have indicated that he feels he’s already said what he has to say on the matter. For weeks now he has been swerving questions about Ramsdale vs Raya and with the cold winter temperatures finally arriving in London he was back slaloming away from difficult questions in his post-match press conference on Saturday.
“This is football,” he said when asked about Aaron Ramsdale’s performance of two halves. “I’m so happy with the team, the way the team performed with the clean sheet. We move on. So happy.”
Clearly he doesn’t want to speak about it any more. Well sorry Mikel, this is a talking point that is simply too big to ignore.
The spotlight was always going to shine heavily on Ramsdale at Brentford. With Raya ineligible due to loan restrictions, the England international was going to be given a chance in the Premier League for the first time since September.
It was billed by many as his last chance to save his Arsenal career and his spot in Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad. From early on at the Gtech Community Stadium it became clear that he also felt this way.
Ramsdale was jittery each time the ball came to him at the back and struggled with Brentford’s high press. The worst moment came from a goal kick as he got the ball caught under his feet, allowing Yoanne Wissa to nip in and tee up Bryan Mbeumo. Fortunately for the 25-year-old Declan Rice was on hand to clear the shot off the line.
From the resulting goal kick Ramsdale looked to go for a short routine with Gabriel. Having witnessed the same play go so wrong before though Arteta began frantically wagging his finger begging his goalkeeper to go long. Ramsdale ignored this though and after seeing him go short
